Longer Duration Energy Storage (LoDES) Demonstration Programme: successful projects
Projects which received funding through the Longer Duration Energy Storage Demonstration Programme Stream 1 (Phases 1 and 2) and Stream 2 (Phases 1 and 2).
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Longer duration storage (across days, weeks, and months) could help reduce the cost of meeting net zero by storing excess low carbon generation for longer periods of time, helping to manage variation in generation such as extended periods of low wind.
This could reduce the amount of fossil fuel and low carbon generation that would otherwise be needed and optimise the output from renewables (rather than paying to turn off generators when there is excess supply).
Over £69 million of capital funding was made available across 2 competition streams. Technologies in scope included electric, thermal and power-to-x.
Technologies out of scope were solutions with widely deployed UK commercial demonstrations such as lithium ion, pumped hydro or large water tanks.
Stream 1: actual demonstration
Stream 1 aimed to accelerate commercialisation of innovative longer duration energy storage projects through to actual demonstrations in operational environments. During Phase 1, projects were expected to mobilise their proposed technologies (at TRL 6/7) to prepare for potential deployment on the UK energy system.
Around £37 million innovation funding was to be awarded in the form of capital grants, with a requirement to secure matched private investment. Delivery was to be phased, with down-selection after Phase 1 (mobilisation).
| Phase | Indicative timeline | Indicative available funding (per project) |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Mobilisation: including FEED, securing planning permission, final investment decision | November 2021 to October / November 2022 | Up to £1 million |
| Phase 2: Build and commission | December 2022 to March 2025 | circa £11 million |
5 projects were funded through Stream 1 Phase 1, covering 2 out of the 3 potential technology areas that were in scope of the competition: power-to-X energy storage and electrical energy storage.
No projects were awarded funding through the thermal energy storage technology category.
One project was funded through Stream 1 Phase 2.
See the application details for Stream 1
Stream 2: prototype demonstration
Stream 2 aimed to accelerate commercialisation of innovative longer duration energy storage projects through to first-of-a-kind (FOAK) full-system prototypes in relevant or operational environments. Phase 1 projects were expected to deliver a feasibility study report for their proposed technology and contribute to knowledge dissemination and sector capacity-building.
Around £30 million innovation support was to be awarded through Stream 2 in the form of Small Business Research Initiative (SBRI) contracts, requiring risk-sharing.
Delivery was to be phased, with down-selection after Phase 1 (feasibility).
| Phase | Revised Indicative timeline | Indicative available funding (per project) |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1: Feasibility Studies | December 2021 to May 2022 | Up to £150,000 |
| Phase 2: Build and commission | October 2022 to September 2024 | Up to £9.45 million |
19 projects were funded through Stream 2 Phase 1, covering all 3 technology areas: thermal energy storage, power-to-X energy storage and electrical energy storage.
7 projects were funded through Stream 2 Phase 2, covering all 3 technology areas.
Updates to this page
Published 23 February 2022Last updated 12 April 2023 + show all updates
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Added details of project funded through Stream 1 Phase 2.
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Longer Duration Energy Storage Demonstration Programme, Stream 2 Phase 2: details of successful projects announced.
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First published.